Fitzgerald to publish burglary Bill to allow consecutive sentencing

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald will today publish the heads of a Bill allowing for consecutive jail sentencing for burglars.

Ms Fitzgerald will publish Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015 which will allow courts to refuse bail for offenders who have a previous conviction for burglary with two or more charges.

The Department of Justice is taking the initiative after concern was raised about the number of burglaries being carried out by a small cohort of people.

Figures from the Garda Síochána Analysis Service indicate 75 per cent of burglaries are committed by 25 per cent of burglars.